I woke up thinking about my upcoming final exams, and was in desperate need of some gospel music. Gospel music instantly lifts my mood! I hear this song on the radio a lot and I start jamming and grinning like I just got some ice cream! Hope this makes your day a bit brighter :).

*insert cliché blogger apology for neglecting her blog because she got caught up in life*

I’m back, loves! It’s a new year so that means a new me—right?! Haha I’m one of those people that side eyes others who say “New Year, New Me” every.single.year. But this year, I’m determined to actually change (I know, people always say that). Something sparked in me while I was having lunch with a close friend last week. We talked about our lives, what had changed, what needed to change, what we wanted to accomplish short term versus long term. Deep stuff.

I went home and couldn’t stop thinking about how much I had changed in 2013, yet how much I remained the same. This past was a big year for me: I took a year off of school, attended a different university in the spring, interned at a hospital, networked with professionals, questioned my beliefs, strengthened my relationship with my Maker, had fun with friends, both new and old, and searched for my purpose in life. No doubt I have grown in maturity, but that last 2013 experience has really wrecked me internally—finding my purpose in life.

For someone like me, who is interested in a million different activities ranging from singing and dancing to competing in track and field to planning fashion shows to volunteering everywhere, this proves to be a difficult feat. What do I do with my life? Over Christmas break, I was so frustrated with this question and my lack of decisiveness that I went to my dad, “Big Papa” for answers. Now, my Nigerian parents are the type of parents that won’t push a particular profession onto their children, but they will pressure us to pleasepicksomething and stay with it. So we sat down and made a list of what I’m good at and what I need to work on, what types of fields would be good for my skill sets and what wouldn’t be good for me. Conclusion? I need something exciting because I do not like to be idle. I need something with structure because I like to make lists and manage. I need something that allows for new discoveries and advancements in the field. I need to be able to travel. I need to be able to afford the kind of lifestyle I want to live for myself and for my future family.

In my head, choosing to be a doctor was exciting and made sense for the type of person I am! All in all, I’m glad my dad helped to boost my confidence about this decision (we still have finals, so the talk with Big Papa is really helping me to focus and remain positive).

Without further adieu, here are some honest New Years Resolutions for 2014:

Remember to write “2014” and not “2013” on assignments.

Read daily devotionals and pray everyday (not just when I eat).

Do little things each day to show my loved ones that I care about them.

Eat healthier.

Take more pictures.

Run my personal best at every single track meet this season. Be consistent at practice and in the weight room.

I love Christmas! From the bright lights and songs on the radio, to the actual reason for the season–celebrating the birth of baby Jesus, it’s great to spend time with friends and family that I haven’t seen in awhile!

Every year on Christmas morning, my family goes to church for a special service. Here are some pictures of my friends and family from Christmas 2013: